Tennis racket clamp



Jan. 29, 1935. Q E, w s 1,989,577

TENNIS RAGKET CLAMP Filed March 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnuenlor By 2mm yqllomey Jan. 29, 1935. E. H. WATKINS 1,989,577

TENNIS RACKET CLAMP Filed March 28, 1934 2 Sheets$heet 2 Inventor 27% 4 Wizm 74llomey Patented Jan. 29, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TENNIS RACKET CLAMP Ellis Harrison Watkins, La Grande, Oreg.

Application March 28, 1934, Serial No. 717,856

1 Claim.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in clamps for tennis rackets, whereby the racket can be retained in shape while not in use.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a tennis racket clamp in which the tennis racket can be placed and secured in a manner much more expeditiously than in the use of present day types of clamps now in general use.

During the course of the following specification and claims, other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of a clamp with a racket engaged therein.

Figure 2 represents a side elevational view of one of the sections of the clamp.

Figure 3 represents a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 represents a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 represents a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 represents a fragmentary detailed sec-' tional and elevational View showing the knob.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 represents the bottom section of the clamp, while numeral 6 represents the top section. Each of these sections is provided with a reduced intermediate portion '7 on their opposed sides, while the peripheral portions of the opposed sections, that is, the portions which are to engage the racket, are provided with resilient liners 8. The peripheries of the sections are provided with opposed flanges 9 which abut, as in the manner shown in Figure 3.

The sections 5--6 are provided with extensions 10 through which the handle portion of the racket extends.

The section 5 is provided with a relatively thick central portion 11 and from this extends several rods 12, each anchored within the enlarged portion 11, as at 13. These rods 12 extend in parallel relation to each other and each is provided with a T-head 14: which is insertable through corresponding slots 15 in the top section 6.

In inserting the heads 14 through the openings 15 in the top section 6, the heads will move into the circumferentially extending channels 16 of the knob 1'7 which is provided with a cam shoulder 18 for each of the heads 14, the knob 17 being rotatable and connected by the pin 19 to the section 6, so that the same can rotate as stated.

Obviously, after a racket has been inserted between the sections 6'7, the T-heads 14 can be inserted through the slots 15 in the section 6 so that they engage into the channels 16 of the knob 17. All that isnow required is to rotate the knob 17, and the cam 13 will ride under the heads 14 and consequently draw the sections 6-7 toward each other and snugly against the racket.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A racket clamp comprising a pair of clamp sections, one of said sections being provided with a plurality of openings therein, a plurality of pin members extending laterally from the other section and being provided with heads thereon insertable through the saidopenings of the other section, a knob rotatably mounted on the sections having the openings therein, said knob being provided with a concentrically disposed channel therein for receiving the headed ends of the pins, and a cam structure in the knob channel for each of the said heads, so that when the said knob is rotated, the heads will be moved outwardly from the adjacent sections so that said sections will be drawn together against a racket contained therein.

ELLIS HARRISON WATKINS. 

